2015 Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra sedan is the bread-and-butter four-door offering in Hyundai's compact vehicle lineup, which also includes the Elantra GT hatchback. The Elantra blends an eye-grabbing design with the high level of standard features for which Hyundai has become known.

Overview
One of the more stylish sedans in its segment, the Elantra is characterized by Hyundai's now-familiar fluidic sculpture design language, which is intended to evoke the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Distinct character lines that run from the front doors through the door handles before terminating in the taillights lend a bit of an edge to the car's organic look.

New details such as a reshaped front bumper, reworked headlights with LED accents, and fresh foglights arrived as part of the Elantra's recent refresh, although most casual observers will be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Regardless, the Elantra remains a handsome offering.

More substantial changes arrived inside, where the flowing dashboard has been reworked with higher-mounted, more effective air vents along with more user-friendly stereo and HVAC controls. All Elantras save the base model gain a 4.3-inch touchscreen audio system and a rearview camera as standard equipment, while a new navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen and Pandora radio integration is an optional extra.

Hyundai's useful Blue Link telematics service is another new addition to the Elantra, bringing with it a wide variety of function and services like voice text messaging, point-of-interest web search and download, automatic collision notification, and remote vehicle unlocking in addition to traffic, weather, restaurant and nearby gas station information.

Interior space remains plentiful, with a slightly confining roofline that impedes second-row headroom being the Elantra's only flaw when it comes to passenger comfort. Trunk space measures a midsize sedan-rivaling 14.8 cubic feet.

Cabin noise levels are down for the latest model year due to a plethora of NVH-combating measures, including extra A-pillar foam, a full underbody cover and anti-vibration dash panel material.

Power and Handling
In standard form, the Elantra is motivated by a 1.8-liter inline-four with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, although the stick is not available on the Limited trim level. Fuel economy checks in at 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway with either transmission.

Buyers after more grunt can opt for a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Available only with the Elantra Sport trim level, the motor returns 24/35 mpg when paired with a six-speed automatic.

More than just a bigger engine, the Sport also features a buttoned-down suspension with stiffer dampers and rear springs along with a larger front stabilizer bar. A reworked electric assist steering system with a quicker ratio is also included (non-Sport models get driver-adjustable steering), as are unique two-tone 17-inch wheels, aluminum pedals and a rear spoiler.

The SE comes standard with the 1.8-liter motor and six-speed manual transmission in addition to air-conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, a telescopic steering wheel, a six-speaker, 172-watt AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD stereo with USB and AUX input jacks, and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The SE equipped with an automatic gearbox can be spruced up with the Popular Equipment Package that bundles 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, automatic headlights, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, a center armrest, one touch up driver's window, sunvisor extensions and a 4.3-inch touch screen.

The Popular Equipment package can be further complemented by selecting a Style Package that adds a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, project headlights and chrome trim on the inside.

The Sport adds all of the content in the Preferred Package as standard, while also bringing the more powerful 2.0-liter engine, a retuned suspension, revised steering system, leather upholstery, aluminum pedals, rear spoiler, a sunroof, front LED accent lights, LED taillights and 17-inch wheels.

Sport models can be fitted with the Tech Package which adds a navigation system with seven-inch display, a 360-watt premium audio system Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system and Blue Link Connected Care.

The Limited builds on the SE with Preferred Package's features with leather upholstery, heated rear seats, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service, front LED accent lights, LED taillights and 17-inch wheels.

Optional on the Limited is the Limited Equipment Package which adds a navigation system with seven-inch display, a 360-watt premium audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto on/off headlights and a proximity key entry with electronic push-button start and an immobilizer.

Occupant Safety
All Elantra models come standard with dual front, front side and side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.